November-December 2020

By the Numbers
For The Record
Vol. 32 No. 6 P. 34

1 Cent to $14,750
COVID-19 diagnostic test charges fall in this price range, according to a study published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine. The average COVID-19 diagnostic testing charge ranged from $64.98 in Utah to $505.65 in the District of Columbia, and the average COVID-19 antibody testing charge ranged from $45.85 in New York to $195.41 in New Mexico. However, the Medicare rate is $51.31 for diagnostic testing and $42.13 for antibody testing.

$3.5 Billion
The changes in the recently released Inpatient Prospective Payment System and the Long-Term Care Hospital final rule will affect approximately 3,200 acute care hospitals and 360 long term care hospitals, according to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, which estimates that total Medicare spending on acute care inpatient hospital services will increase by about this amount (2.7%) in the 2021 fiscal year.

92
A survey from DocASAP found that of those who have had a telehealth appointment, this percentage said they were satisfied with their overall experience and 91% said they are more likely to schedule a telehealth appointment instead of an in-person visit in the future. Additionally, 45% of respondents said if a provider offers telehealth appointments, it would influence their decision to use them.

$1 Billion
An Office of Inspector General audit found hospitals received this estimated amount in overpayments due to upcoding severe malnutrition diagnosis codes on inpatient hospital claims in 2016 and 2017.

$16.7 Million
Longwood Management Corporation and many of its affiliates have agreed to pay this amount to settle Medicare fraud claims. The alleged violations were brought to light by three whistleblowers who will share a $3 million award, reports Whistleblower News Review.

$18.5 Billion
7wireVentures’ portfolio company Livongo has announced its strategic merger with telemedicine provider Teladoc. The transaction is valued at this amount.

432
As part of Amazon’s $5 million global initiative to help health care workers, patients, students, and communities impacted by COVID‑19, the company is donating this number of Amazon Echo Show devices to Baptist Health. The health care system will install them in potential COVID-19 patient rooms at nine of its hospitals to provide a new way for clinicians to visit with their patients through video communication.